After celebrating Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral this morning, the pope walked to the residence of Cardinal Edward M. Egan of New York, host of a special lunch marking the anniversary of the pope’s April 19, 2005, election.

The Catholic Channel has a studio in the cardinal’s residence and the pope stopped in for a few moments, recording a message, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman.

This is what the pope said: “On the occasion of the third anniversary of my election to the See of Peter, I would like to take the opportunity to greet and thank all those who have joined us by radio and other media, espcially the listeners of the Catholic Channel on Sirius Satellite Radio.

“Indeed, these means of communications assist me in sharing the saving message of the Gospel. I am pleased that on the Catholic Channel so many people can follow the daily life and activities of the church. God bless you all.”